This Overview sets out the context in which the inventory of data sources was initially compiled,
its role in the development of the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives,
2011-2016 (DCYA, 2011a), some analyses undertaken on the inventory to date and an overview
of the structure and format of the online meta-data summaries.
The summaries themselves are available electronically only, but a print-ready format can be generated
from the online resource. Due to the likely need for frequent updates and revisions, hard copies of the
summaries were not produced.
Context
The initial impetus for the development of an inventory of data sources arose during the
development of the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives, 2011-2016
(DCYA, 2011a). This strategy originated in cross-Government initiatives towards more strategic
approaches to data and statistics, led by the National Statistics Board (NSB, 2003a and 2003b).
However, the approach taken went further – in focusing on research as well as on data, and
by taking account of information and knowledge concerning children’s lives on a ‘whole of
Government’ basis.
The development process for the strategy was aligned as closely as possible with the Best Practice
Guidelines for the Development and Implementation of formal Data/Statistics Strategies in
Government Departments set out by the NSB (2004). In relation to data sources to meet policy
information needs, these guidelines state that:
Departments should identify the data holdings available internally (including agencies and
other bodies acting on behalf of the Department) that could contribute to meeting the
Department’s policy data needs. [Guideline 5]
Departments should identify the external data holdings that could contribute to meeting
the Department’s unmet policy data needs. [Guideline 6]
Therefore, an inventory of both internal and external data sources was an essential component
of the evidence base for the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives. The
original inventory was compiled in 2008 and was drawn from both administrative and survey-based
datasets that were identified as relevant to the lives of children in Ireland.

This Overview sets out the context in which the inventory of data sources was initially compiled,
its role in the development of the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives,
2011-2016 (DCYA, 2011a), some analyses undertaken on the inventory to date and an overview
of the structure and format of the online meta-data summaries.
The summaries themselves are available electronically only, but a print-ready format can be generated
from the online resource. Due to the likely need for frequent updates and revisions, hard copies of the
summaries were not produced.
Context
The initial impetus for the development of an inventory of data sources arose during the
development of the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives, 2011-2016
(DCYA, 2011a). This strategy originated in cross-Government initiatives towards more strategic
approaches to data and statistics, led by the National Statistics Board (NSB, 2003a and 2003b).
However, the approach taken went further – in focusing on research as well as on data, and
by taking account of information and knowledge concerning children’s lives on a ‘whole of
Government’ basis.
The development process for the strategy was aligned as closely as possible with the Best Practice
Guidelines for the Development and Implementation of formal Data/Statistics Strategies in
Government Departments set out by the NSB (2004). In relation to data sources to meet policy
information needs, these guidelines state that:
Departments should identify the data holdings available internally (including agencies and
other bodies acting on behalf of the Department) that could contribute to meeting the
Department’s policy data needs. [Guideline 5]
Departments should identify the external data holdings that could contribute to meeting
the Department’s unmet policy data needs. [Guideline 6]
Therefore, an inventory of both internal and external data sources was an essential component
of the evidence base for the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives. The
original inventory was compiled in 2008 and was drawn from both administrative and survey-based
datasets that were identified as relevant to the lives of children in Ireland.

en_GB

dc.language.iso

en

en

dc.subject

DATA COLLECTION

en_GB

dc.subject

CHILD HEALTH

en_GB

dc.title

Overview of inventory of data sources on children’s lives

en_GB

dc.type

Report

en

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